High Country Fly Fishing Gear

If you're hiking deep into the mountains where lakes abound, you're missing the boat if you don't catch your supper. Here are seven items that perform and pack well for excellent backcountry fly fishing..

The closed cell foam Small Morell Fly Box is palm-sized and dirt cheap. It floats (even when full), holds a ton of flies, and is virtually indestructible. Magnetic closures open easily with one hand and won't rust. $11, .8 oz., llbean.com

The large-framed, gray-tinted Native Eyewear Trango sunglasses have polarized lenses, a must for cutting glare on the water's surface. Bonus: interchangeable lenses are included, prescription lenses can be made. $149, 1 oz., nativeyewear.com

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The small brim on Tilley's Sou'Wester hat covers just enough sun, andat just over 3" in the back, is narrow enough to wear with a pack. Great features: interior adjustment band keeps hat on head and a rear vent, which really works! $82, 3 oz., tilley.com

1 Comment

Hey guys, thanks for including fly fishing here. To the author – I highly recommend leaving all that heavy gear at home. Try a Tenkara rod. And please include some reviews of them here. The rest of us backpackers are way ahead of you guys here… Tenkara is out and happening in the mtns right now. These heavy reels and Rods are better off left in the car for other trips when you’re not back spacing and for when weight does not matter. When weight does matter, your entire backcountry Tenkara fishing kit can weigh in at less than 5 ounces ALL IN. Check out tenkarabum.com, they guy who runs that site is ultra knowledgeable and can help you figure it all out. In fact you’d be smart to hire him to write you up an article on this… And speak to Ryan Jordan while you’re at it, please!